Buhari Govt Increases Hazard Allowance For Doctors, Other Health Workers

The federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has increased the hazard allowance for doctors and other health workers in the country.

This was contained in a circular dated December 22, 2021 and signed by the Executive Chairman of the National Salaries, Wages, and Income Commission.

According to the circular which was also affirmed by the President’s personal assistant on new/digital media, Bashir Ahmad on his Facebook page on Saturday, while the government increased the allowance for doctors from ₦5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000; other health workers like nurses, laboratory workers among others had theirs reviewed to between N15,000 and N34,000.

The circular with reference number SWC/S/04/S.218/11/406 read in part, “Concerning the review of the hazard allowance applicable to health workers in the services of the federal hospitals, medical centres and clinics in ministries, departments and agencies, the hazard allowance was reviewed to a flat rate that ranges from ₦5,000 to between N15,000 and N34,000 for health workers on the CONHESS salary structure, while doctors on CONMESS had theirs reviewed from ₦5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000.”

However, it has been gathered that the proposed new rate has been rejected by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The professional association in a statement on Friday jointly signed by the National President, Dr. Godiya Ishaya; Secretary-General, Dr. Suleiman Ismail; and Social Secretary, Dr. Alfa Yusuf expressed dissatisfaction with the new rate.

The statement titled, ‘Press statement on the review of hazard allowance’, expressed the dissatisfaction of the association with the proposed payment rate called on the government to review the rate upwards.